Thursday, March 4 2021 21:11

ArmInfo. An event dedicated to the entry into force  of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA)  took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia today.  It  was attended by members of the executive and legislative bodies of  the Republic of Armenia, heads of diplomatic missions,  representatives of civil society.

RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, Head of the EU Delegation to  Armenia Andrea Wiktorin and RA Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian  addressed the event participants with welcoming speeches.  "The  completion of the ratification process of the agreement and its entry  into force is a significant event for the deepening of Armenia-EU  relations. The agreement is of great importance for Armenia, as it  not only stimulates the implementation of reforms, but is also one of  the key pillars of our reform program. It should be noted that the  effective implementation of the agreement will have a significant  impact on various fields of life and business of our citizens. We  understand that the implementation of the best European practices  will contribute to the strengthening of democracy, human rights, the  development of human capital, will promote cooperation in  infrastructure, economy, environment and a number of other areas, "RA  Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said opening the event.

Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin stressed that  the full ratification of the CEPA was the cornerstone of relations  between Armenia and the EU, which is ready to help Armenia in the  reform process for the benefit of the development of the country and  its citizens.

Congratulating the partners on the entry into force of the agreement,  Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian praised the efforts of Armenia and the  EU working groups in realizing this important achievement. "The  Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement covers the broad  agenda of our bilateral relations, and also provides a solid legal  basis for strengthening and expanding the scope of economic and  sectoral cooperation, significantly contributing to the continuation  of internal reforms in various areas in the interests of our  citizens."

"Speaking about common values, we cannot ignore how these values were  suppressed and violated as a result of the use of force against the  peaceful people of Artsakh. The large-scale military aggression of  Azerbaijan against the population of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh)  lasted 44 days and created a new unstable situation in the region  with all possible negative consequences, "the RA Foreign Minister  noted.  We did face new problems, but at the same time, our  determination to support the realization of the right of the people  of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination was not undermined. "I want  to emphasize that the Agreement on Comprehensive and Enhanced  Partnership in the context of the settlement of the Nagorno- Karabakh  conflict clearly states this right, which is especially important  now, since the main goal of the war unleashed by Azerbaijan was to  deprive the people of Nagorno-Karabakh of their rights," the minister  stressed.

Aivazian drew the attention of those present to the issue of  paramount importance for Armenia - the safe return of prisoners of  war taken hostage by Azerbaijan, including civilians, including  women, highly appreciating the position of the EU in this regard. "We  believe that both the EU and the EU member states should speak out  more on this matter, since it is not only about regional security and  stability, but also about the lives of specific people," RA Foreign  Minister Ara Aivazian said.